Hotels in Amsterdam

Jordaan in Amsterdam – Rising from ashes & reaching the stars

Every large city has at least one neighborhood area which is now very posh and expensive but has a history of poverty and collapse. The Jordaan in Amsterdam is one such trendy, clean and safe residential neighborhood which was one of the poorest and most run down in the city as recently as the 1970s.

The Jordaan is the area at the west side of the ‘grachtengordel’ (main canals). De district’s borders are formed by the Lijnbaansgracht, Brouwersgracht, Prinsengracht and the Passeerdersgracht. It is located on walking distance of the Central Station, the Dam or the Leidseplein. It is also easy to reach with public transport as it is very conveniently located on the west side of the centre of Amsterdam. The most streets however, are too small for car traffic. Therefore, most of the time the last meters will have to be taken by foot.

There are many places which are a must visit in Jordaan. One such place is the Anne Frank House which stands at the border of Jordaan. It is the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her well-known diary during the second world war and it now serves as a museum, where the original diary is part from of the permanent exhibition.

The Westerntower, more than 85 meters high tower, decorated with the emperor crown of Maximiliaan of Austria, is the most popular one in the city. In the summer months you can go inside the tower to the first balcony and enjoy the view of the city.

The monumental Northernchurch, pianolamuseum, and houseboatmuseum are other places worth seeing. This trendy residential area is filled with small and chic restaurants, bistros, cafes, wine bars, and the like. The bars are generally very small and patronized mostly by locals only. The .5 liter beer glasses that the tourist area bars have just for the tourists are hard to find in the Jordaan. Instead you’ll see locals drinking from their .25 liter glasses exclusively.

The Amsterdam Jordaan is undoubtedly the most sung about, described and romanced town district of the Netherlands and a hot favorite for students, artists and young professionals.